This week in Hong Kong
This week in Hong Kong, the appointment of former police superintendent John Tse to lead the Information Services Department drew attention to government communications. Concurrently, independent outlet Hong Kong Free Press launched a donation drive, highlighting the challenging media landscape. Separately, a transgender alumna initiated a lawsuit against her former school over alleged discriminatory hair policies, bringing social rights to the forefront.
About Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a vibrant global financial hub renowned for its stunning skyline, unique East-meets-West culture, and efficient infrastructure. However, its media landscape has undergone significant changes, with press freedom notably declining since the 2020 National Security Law, leading to the closure of independent outlets and prevalent self-censorship.
Visiting Hong Kong
Media landscape
Hong Kong's media environment, once a beacon of press freedom, has seen a dramatic decline, particularly since the 2020 National Security Law. This has resulted in the closure of several independent news outlets and a pervasive atmosphere of self-censorship among journalists.
To gain a comprehensive understanding, seek out a variety of news sources, including international outlets, and be aware of the increased prevalence of self-censorship in local reporting.
Sources we track 1
Australian lawyer remanded over dine-and-dash charges at Hong Kong luxury hotels
- An Australian lawyer, Samuel Anthony Monkivitch, has been remanded in custody in Hong Kong on charges of making off without payment and criminal damage. - Monkivitch allegedly incurred bills totalin…
Mideast War Jolts China’s Well-Oiled Manufacturing Hub
- Chinese factory owners and traders warn that prolonged conflict in the Middle East is drastically increasing manufacturing costs, particularly for plastics derived from oil. - The closure of the Str…
The Yanardağ Case: Casus Belli
- Merdan Yanardağ and others are being prosecuted in a case described as a 'casus belli' by the article's author. - The article criticizes the government's actions, alleging violations of fundamental …
Hins Cheung's Apology for Past Political Comments Sparks Fan Theories
- Cantopop star Hins Cheung has apologized for past political comments, stating he was "impulsive" and "ignorant" in his youth. - Cheung announced he would serve as a mentor in a Security Bureau progr…
Explainer: Hong Kong seeks to seize Jimmy Lai's assets amid national security crackdown
- Hong Kong authorities are seeking to seize assets belonging to Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, on national security grounds. - Lai is currently serving a 20-year prison …
China's Wu Yize crowned world snooker champion after Crucible final triumph
- Chinese snooker player Wu Yize, 22, won his first World Championship title on Monday, defeating Shaun Murphy 18-17. - Wu's victory follows that of Zhao Xintong, making him the second Chinese player …
Public consultation for Hong Kong’s 5-year plan offers golden chance to step up city’s sustainability game
- Hong Kong is launching a public consultation for its first five-year plan, with a focus on sustainability. - The plan aims to align with China's national emphasis on sustainability, which is integra…
Hong Kong Restaurants Can Apply for Dog-Friendly Permits from May 18
- Hong Kong restaurants larger than 20 square meters can apply for licenses to allow dogs starting May 18. - The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will accept applications from May 18 to June …
China sentences two ex-defense ministers to suspended death for graft
- China has handed suspended death sentences to two former defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, for corruption. - The sentences are the harshest yet in President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption …
Gov't Unit Gave Advance Notice Before Inspections at Site of Fatal Tai Po Fire, Inquiry Hears
- A senior surveyor admitted that a government unit gave advance notice before site inspections at Wang Fuk Court, where a fatal fire occurred. - The Independent Checking Unit (ICU) did not have a for…
Trans Alum Sues Former Secondary School Over ‘Discriminatory’ Hair Policies
- A transgender alumna is suing her former Hong Kong secondary school over alleged discriminatory hair policies. - The alumna claims the school's rules, which permit long hair for female students but …
Former Hong Kong police officer appointed to lead government’s media relations department
- John Tse, a former police superintendent, has been appointed as the head of Hong Kong's Information Services Department (ISD). - Tse previously led daily press briefings during the 2019 protests and…
Tourists Flock to Hong Kong Countryside Amid Golden Week Surge
- Hong Kong's countryside experienced a surge in visitors during the Golden Week holiday, with over 600,000 arrivals in the first two days. - Popular ecological spots and country parks were crowded, p…
Sri Lanka Arrests 37 Chinese Nationals at Suspected Cyber Scam Center
- Sri Lankan police arrested 37 Chinese nationals at a suspected cyber scam center in Colombo. - The suspects, who entered on tourist visas, were allegedly working illegally, with some overstaying the…
Taiwan President Arrives in Eswatini After China-Induced Travel Hiccups
- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te successfully arrived in Eswatini, Taipei's sole African ally, after a previous trip was canceled due to revoked overflight permits. - Several African nations withdrew…
Press Freedom Day 2026: 25 reasons to support HKFP’s independent newsroom
- Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) is seeking donations to sustain its independent newsroom amidst significant financial and political pressures. - The non-profit outlet has faced deficits, government scru…
‘Clearly me’: Chinese AI drama accused of stealing faces
- Two individuals claim their likenesses were used without consent in a Chinese AI-generated microdrama titled "The Peach Blossom Hairpin." - The microdrama, which featured the individuals as characte…
Taiwan economy grows at fastest pace since 1987
- Taiwan's economy experienced its fastest growth since 1987 in Q1 2026, expanding 13.7% year-on-year. - Robust demand for AI technology and related supply chains significantly boosted exports. - Desp…
HKFP Lens: ‘Bodies in Motion, Bodies at Rest’ - Gareth Brown’s 19 years of dance photography
- Hong Kong photographer Gareth Brown has spent 19 years on a personal project documenting dancers against the backdrop of the city's unique locations. - The project,
‘Not good enough’: Government Departments’ Testimony at Tai Po Fire Inquiry
- An inquiry into the Tai Po fire heard testimony from government departments regarding their oversight during renovations at Wang Fuk Court prior to the blaze. - Officials from various departments ac…
Australia says China agrees to collaborate on jet fuel exports
- Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced China has agreed to facilitate jet fuel exports, aiming to ease supply disruptions. - The move comes as the Middle East conflict and the Strait of H…
China Bans Drone Sales in Beijing, Demands Flight Permits Amid Security Fears
- Beijing will implement strict regulations banning drone sales and requiring flight permits for all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the capital starting Friday. - The new rules cite public securit…
Hong Kong housing estate Richland Gardens sparks controversy over hiring of non-local security guards
- Hong Kong's Richland Gardens housing estate is facing controversy over its decision to hire non-local security guards. - The owners' corporation stated that hiring non-locals was necessary due to di…
Hong Kong Charges Two Men for Inciting Election Boycott, Blank Votes
- Hong Kong's anti-corruption watchdog has charged two men for allegedly inciting election boycotts and blank votes. - The charges relate to social media posts made during last year's legislative elec…
Hong Kong’s CLP Power increases fuel surcharge for 2 consecutive months
- Hong Kong's CLP Power will increase its electricity fuel surcharge for the second consecutive month starting May 1. - The increase brings the total electricity tariff to 141.6 cents per kilowatt-hou…
Hong Kong Buildings Department Admits No Flammability Tests on Scaffold Nets Before Fatal Fire
- The Buildings Department (BD) in Hong Kong did not conduct flammability tests on scaffold nets used at Wang Fuk Court before a fatal fire occurred last year. - An official testified that the departm…
Hong Kong Cinema Day a Hit with Over 200,000 Moviegoers
- Over 201,000 people attended Hong Kong's annual Cinema Day on Saturday, taking advantage of discounted HK$30 tickets. - The event, part of the government's
Tai Po fire: Residents return to retrieve belongings, take final photos and mourn neighbours
- Residents of Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court returned to their fire-damaged homes over the weekend to collect belongings and take final photos. - The devastating fire five months prior killed 168 people and…
Central Asian Gas Giant Turkmenistan Deepens Reliance on China
- Turkmenistan is deepening its energy ties with China through the expansion of the Galkynysh gas field, a project led by the China National Petroleum Corporation. - Despite aspirations to diversify e…
Ramen, Nightlife, and Love: A Japanese Entrepreneur's 55 Years in Hong Kong
- Itsuko Shimada, founder of Ippei-an Ramen & Bar, has lived in Hong Kong for 55 years, considering herself almost a Hongkonger. - Opened in 1984, Ippei-an is claimed to be Hong Kong's first ramen res…
French Journalist Denied Entry to Hong Kong, RSF Slams 'Weaponising' of Visas
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported a French journalist was denied entry to Hong Kong in November. - The journalist, Antoine Vedeilhe, was reportedly detained and deported without reason after …
China’s DeepSeek releases long-awaited new AI model
- Chinese startup DeepSeek has released its new AI model, DeepSeek-V4, featuring an ultra-long context of one million words. - The model aims for leadership in domestic and open-source fields for agen…
Passenger dies after collapsing on Cathay Pacific flight from UK
- A 51-year-old passenger died after collapsing on a Cathay Pacific flight from the UK to Hong Kong. - The man was declared dead at Hong Kong International Airport after paramedics attempted resuscita…
China Stealing US AI Technology, White House Official Says
- The White House has accused Chinese entities of a large-scale operation to steal US artificial intelligence technology. - A White House official stated that these entities are using sophisticated me…
‘Disaster’ alarm and emergency alert not activated for Tai Po fire because they were ‘not suitable,’ official tells inquiry
- A senior official testified that Hong Kong's highest "disaster" fire alarm and emergency alert systems were not activated during the fatal Tai Po fire because they were deemed "not suitable." - The …
Oxfam’s living wage for Hong Kong set to rise to HK$64 per hour from Oct
- Oxfam Hong Kong will increase its recommended living wage to HK$64 per hour starting October 1, up from HK$62.8. - The adjustment is based on Hong Kong's wage levels and the latest Composite Consume…
Hong Kong Actor Gregory Wong Appeals Riot Conviction at Top Court
- Hong Kong actor Gregory Wong is appealing his conviction and sentence for rioting during the 2019 Legislative Council storming. - Wong was jailed for six years and two months after being found guilt…
Hong Kong Pilot Scheme Relocates 10 Elderly Residents to Guangdong Care Homes
- A Hong Kong government pilot scheme has relocated 10 elderly social security recipients to care homes in Guangdong, China, since its October launch. - The scheme, funded by the Community Care Fund, …
Taiwan Leader Postpones Eswatini Trip Amidst Chinese Pressure
- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te postponed a trip to Eswatini after several countries revoked overflight permits due to Chinese pressure. - China claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes its intern…
Hong Kong Govt Seeks to Seize HK$127m in Assets from Jailed Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai
- The Hong Kong government is seeking to confiscate HK$127 million in assets from jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai. - The application follows Lai's conviction and jail sentence under the national securit…
Man City, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Juventus to Face Off in Hong Kong Pre-Season Football Festival
- Four top European football clubs, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Juventus, will participate in pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August. - The "Hong Kong Football Festival" will feat…
Outrage in China after streaming site iQIYI debuts AI actor ‘database’
- Chinese streaming giant iQIYI is facing backlash over its new AI actor 'artist database' platform, which allows actors' likenesses to be used in AI-generated content. - Over 100 celebrities have rep…
Gov’t agencies ‘failed in their duties’ despite complaints about renovation project, ex-member of estate board says
- A former estate board member testified that enforcement agencies failed to act on complaints regarding a renovation project at Wang Fuk Court. - The renovation project was underway when a fire broke…
Hong Kong Fire Victims Return to Salvage Cherished Items from Scorched Flats
- Residents of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po have returned to their fire-damaged flats to salvage belongings. - Around 270 people from Wang Sun House, one of seven blocks affected by the…
Hong Kong Sevens draws over 113,000 fans; South Africa and New Zealand claim top titles
- The Hong Kong Sevens tournament concluded with South Africa's men's team and New Zealand's women's team claiming the championship titles. - Over 113,000 fans attended the three-day event, celebratin…
Humans far behind as robot breaks record at Beijing half marathon
- A humanoid robot shattered the world record at the Beijing Half Marathon, completing the course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. - The robot's performance significantly surpassed the top human runner a…
MSF hospital in South Sudan hit by airstrike; worker warns of 'growing trend' of attacks on healthcare
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported its hospital in Lankien, South Sudan, was hit by an airstrike on February 3, 2026. - MSF believes the attack was deliberate and targeted the hospital's main w…
Wang Fuk Court Fire Survivors Petition Hong Kong Officials for On-Site Redevelopment
- Survivors of the Wang Fuk Court fire in Hong Kong have petitioned top officials twice in a week, demanding on-site redevelopment of their estate. - They argue that current resettlement plans lack tr…
China’s economy beats forecasts, but war darkens outlook
- China's economy grew 5.0 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, exceeding forecasts despite global economic uncertainties. - The growth was primarily fueled by exports, though retail sales growt…
Beijing Official Warns Hong Kong Against ‘Politicising’ Tai Po Fire to ‘Stir Up Chaos’
- Beijing's top official in Hong Kong warns against 'politicizing' the Tai Po fire to incite chaos. - Officials state that national security risks persist despite the security law. - Authorities vow a…
Hong Kong suspends plans to legalise basketball betting amid concerns about prediction markets
- Hong Kong has halted plans to legalize basketball betting due to concerns over the rise of prediction markets. - The government cited the rapid growth and potential for prediction markets to fuel il…
Mainland Chinese Woman Acquitted of Fraud in Hong Kong Top Talent Visa Case
- A mainland Chinese woman was acquitted of fraud charges related to using a fake degree for Hong Kong's Top Talent visa. - The magistrate accepted that her agent may have submitted the fraudulent app…